Megacity Vehicle to become the world’s first volume-produced car with a passenger cell made from carbon.

* 06.07.2010
* Press Release
Munich. The BMW Group is once again breaking new ground with the Megacity Vehicle (MCV), due to come onto the market in 2013: “The Megacity Vehicle is a revolutionary automobile. It will be the world’s first volume-produced vehicle with a passenger cell made from carbon. Our LifeDrive architecture is helping us to open a new chapter in automotive lightweight design. Indeed, this concept allows us to practically offset the extra 250 to 350 kilograms of weight typically found in electrically powered vehicles.” says Klaus Draeger, Member of the Board of Management for Development.

“The drive system remains the heartbeat of a car, and that also applies to electric vehicles,” said Draeger. “Powertrains also remain a core area of expertise of Bayerische Motoren Werke. Electromobility and the hallmark BMW driving pleasure make an excellent match, if you go about things the right way. For this reason we are developing the powertrain for the Megacity Vehicle in-house – that includes the electric motor, the power electronics and the battery system.”

The electrification of a vehicle requires new concepts in vehicle architecture and body construction in order to exploit the potential of the new emission-free drive system to optimum effect. With the revolutionary LifeDrive concept, the BMW Group engineers are developing the car’s architecture from scratch and adapting it to the demands and conditions of future mobility. The goal: to offset the additional weight of an electric vehicle – typically 250 to 350 kilograms. To this end, the BMW Group is focusing on the innovative high-tech material carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP).

The LifeDrive concept consists of two horizontally separated, independent modules. The Drive module integrates the battery, drive system and structural and crash functions into a single construction within the chassis. Its partner, the Life module, consists primarily of a high-strength and extremely lightweight passenger cell made from CFRP. Furthermore, the new vehicle architecture opens the door to totally new production processes which are both simpler and more flexible, and use less energy.

The BMW Group is also aiming to be the force behind the best drive systems over the years ahead – systems boasting outstanding efficiency, performance and smoothness, even if it is electricity rather than fossil fuels that are converted into propulsion. To this end, the BMW Group is vigorously driving forward the technical development of electric powertrains. The BMW Group’s centre of expertise for electric drive systems brings together development, manufacturing and procurement specialists under one roof. All their efforts are focused on the implementation and typically BMW interpretation of the new generation of drive systems. Ultimately, electric vehicles not only provide a zero-local-emission and low-noise form of propulsion; their ability to deliver a totally new and extremely agile driving experience is also impressive.

The new architecture of the MCV also gives the vehicle designers additional freedom when it comes to creating a new aesthetic for sustainable urban mobility solutions.

"[BMW] megacity Vehicle to become the world’s first volume-produced car with a passenger cell made from carbon."
To above statement is a fideism, which brings to mind Niels Bohr well known humoresque:
"Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future."

i believe the panels will probably stay aluminum to keep the cost of accidents to be low. Can't believe its actually happening! i wrote a report in my engineering writing class about the pros of carbon fiber frames on consumer cars.

Body shops will no longer need frame racks. Any structural damage to the monocoque appears to be end of life for that component. Insurance companies are going to have a field day with this. Perhaps BMW will start offering collision insurance with the sale of a new vehicle. I love this technology but right now the repair infrastructure in not capable is working with this. My bet is it will spawn a completely new industry for crash repair.

Carbon & CFRP has no memory like metal. It cannot be straightened back to it's original position and shape. It will have to be placed into a jig. The damaged piece cut and removed. Replacement part installed and bonded. This will be interesting to follow.

Body shops will no longer need frame racks. Any structural damage to the monocoque appears to be end of life for that component. Insurance companies are going to have a field day with this. Perhaps BMW will start offering collision insurance with the sale of a new vehicle. I love this technology but right now the repair infrastructure in not capable is working with this. My bet is it will spawn a completely new industry for crash repair.

Carbon & CFRP has no memory like metal. It cannot be straightened back to it's original position and shape. It will have to be placed into a jig. The damaged piece cut and removed. Replacement part installed and bonded. This will be interesting to follow.

I agree. I wonder how insurance companies will react to this methodology.